Deodorant spray

ABSTRACT

A deodorant comprises triethyl citrate, zinc glycinate, and water. The deodorant has a pH of 5.5 to 6.5.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/406,333 entitled “Deodorant Spray” filed Oct. 25, 2010, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Vaginal odor is a common problem for women around the world. Many attribute the unpleasant odor to lack of cleanliness. In actuality, the odor is caused by an imbalance in the bacteria within the vagina. Both “good” and “bad” bacteria naturally exist in the vaginal area. However, when the natural ratio of good to bad bacteria becomes imbalanced the result is an unpleasant odor. Vaginal odor can have a significant impact on the lives of those who suffer from it. The sometimes intense odor can adversely impact quality of life by causing those afflicted to shy away from both social and intimate contact. This can significantly affect the ability to construct and maintain healthy relationships.

Triethyl citrate is a compound which can be, and often is, used as the active ingredient in deodorants. It is effective as such because of its ability to inhibit the growth of bacteria associated with the components of sweat. Triethyl citrate is actually consumed by the bacteria in sweat, causing the release of citric acid and ethanol, both of which inhibit the Krebs cycle disrupting the bacterial metabolism. Such inhibition prevents the production of energy by the bacteria and in essence kills the bacteria. Triethyl citrate is slightly water soluble and functions at an optimal pH of 5, therefore when applied directly to the skin this slight acidity is often irritating.

Zinc glycinate is a compound which is also frequently used as an active ingredient in many deodorant products. Zinc glycinate inhibits the growth of the odor causing bacteria found in sweat by obstructing a pathway necessary for the growth of the bacteria. Zinc glycinate is water soluble (about 6 grams per 100 ml cold water) and functions at an optimal pH of range of 7-8. Due to the mildness of the pH, the compound is both safe and effective for use in deodorant products that are applied to, or come in close contact with, the skin.

SUMMARY

In a first aspect, the present invention is a deodorant, comprising triethyl citrate, zinc glycinate, and water. The deodorant has a pH of 5.5 to 6.5.

In a second aspect, the present invention is a deodorant, comprising 0.1 to 10.0% zinc glycinate, 0.1 to 7.0% triethyl citrate, optionally, 0.1 to 10.0% emollient, optionally, 0.1 to 10.0% surfactant, optionally, 0.013 to 1.32% cleansing surfactant, optionally, 0.04 to 4.0% moisturizer, optionally, 0.011 to 1.13% surfactant solubilizer, optionally, 0.05 to 5.0% preservative, optionally, 0.004 to 0.4% fragrance, and water. The deodorant has a pH of 5.5 to 6.5.

In a third aspect, the present invention is a method of making a deodorant, comprising mixing ingredients comprising zinc glycinate, triethyl citrate, and water; and adjusting the pH of the deodorant to 5.5 to 6.5.

All percentage amount described herein are weight/weight percentages (w/w %).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While triethyl citrate and zinc glycinate have both been used separately in deodorant products, the combined use of the two ingredients has been avoided due to their differing optimal pH levels. The present invention makes use of the discovery that both triethyl citrate and zinc glycinate are sufficiently effective at a pH range of 5.5-6.5. The combination of these two compounds makes for an effective deodorant spray. However, because of the slightly acidic nature of this combination such a product could be irritating to the skin. The present invention also makes use of the discovery that this deodorant composition is effective to control odor when applied to the clothing, rather than directly to the skin. Because both main compounds are strongly drawn to both hair and fabric, the active ingredients in the product remain adhered to the clothing long after the initial application; upon application, the clothing itself is in essence made anti-bacterial, controlling any odor caused by bacteria. Also, because the present invention may be formulated as a clear solution, there is no worry about staining clothing. The present invention provides strong, lasting, deodorant protection.

A spray deodorant composition contains anti-bacterial agents used to reduce the amount of bacteria found on the skin and/or hair, when the composition is applied to clothing in contact with the skin and/or hair. The composition uses a combination of zinc glycinate and triethyl citrate as anti-bacterial agents. Both triethyl citrate and zinc glycinate are sufficiently effective at a pH range of 5.5-6.5. Preferably, zinc glycinate is present in an amount of 0.1 to 10%, more preferably 0.2 to 8%, and most preferably 0.5 to 5%, including 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4 and 4.5%. Preferably, triethyl citrate is present in an amount of 0.1 to about 7% (the solubility limit in water), more preferably 0.2 to 6%, and most preferably 0.5 to 3.5%, including 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5 and 3%.

Preferably, the composition is supplied in a spray bottle, so that it may be sprayed onto clothing, particularly undergarments such as underwear or panties. The composition could also be applied as a spray to a feminine napkin, menstrual pad or other clothing in contact with the pubic area. The resulting fabric, paper or cloth, will contain the composition, and provide the deodorant effect.

The pH of the composition is maintained in the range of 5.5-6.5, including 5.6, 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, 6.0, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3 and 6.4. The composition may optionally include a pH modifier used to obtain the desired pH level. Some examples of pH modifiers are phosphoric acid (for example 75% w/w), hydrochloric acid, and trifluoroacetic acid.

The composition may optionally contain an emollient used to sooth the skin. Examples of emollients include propylene glycol, propylene glycol esters (for example propylene glycol laurate, propylene glycol myristate, and propylene glycol linoleate) and dimethicones (for example dimethicone PEG-8 beeswax, dimethicone PEG-7 isostearate, and dimethicone PEG-8 phosphate). Preferably, the emollient is present in an amount of 0.1 to 10%, more preferably 0.2 to 8%, and most preferably 0.5 to 5%, including 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4 and 4.5%.

The composition may optionally contain a surfactant used to reduce the surface tension of the composition to a range of between below 35-40 dynes per centimeter, therefore allowing the invention to be used as a spray. Examples of surfactants are polysorbates (for example, polysorbate 20, polysorbate 21, polysorbate 40 and polysorbate 80 acetate), polyglyceryls (for example, polyglyceryl-2 tetrastearate, polyglyceryl-6 undecylenate, polyglyceryl-10 trioleate) and butylenes glycols (for example butylene glycol behenate, butylene glycol laurate and butylene glycol oleate). Preferably the surfactant is present in an amount of 0.1 to 10%, more preferably 0.2 to 8%, and most preferably 0.5 to 5%, including 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4 and 4.5%.

The composition may optionally contain a cleansing surfactant. Some examples of cleansing surfactants include cocoamphocarboxyglycinate, laureths (laureth-16, laureth-7 phosphate and laureth-4 carboxylic acid) and myristamidopropyls (myristamidopropyl betaine, myristamidopropyl hydroxysultaine and myristamidopropyl dimethylamine phosphate). Preferably the cleansing surfactant is present in an amount of 0.013 to 1.32%, more preferably 0.025 to 1.0%, and most preferably 0.065 to 0.65, including 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1, 0.12, 0.15, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5%.

The composition may optionally contain a moisturizer. Examples of moisturizers include PEGylated lanolins (for example, PEG-75 lanolin), PEGylated fatty acid esters (for example PEG-6 glyceryl tristearate, PEG-4 glyceryl tristearate, and PEG-25 glyceryl trioleate) and PEGylated oils. Preferably the moisturizer is present in an amount of 0.04 to 4%, more preferably 0.08 to 2%, most preferably 0.1 to 1%, including 0.2, 0.25, 0.3, 0.35, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8 and 0.9%.

The composition may optionally contain a surfactant solubilizer, which may also aid in cleansing. An example of a surfactant solubilizer is cocamidopropylamine oxide. Preferably the surfactant solubilizer is present in an amount of 0.011 to 1.13%, more preferably 0.02 to 0.95%, most preferably 0.055 to 0.225%, including 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1, 0.15 and 0.2%.

The composition may optionally contain a preservative. Example preservatives include the parabens, such as methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, and their salts. Other preservatives include phenoxyethanol, methylisothiazoline, benzoic acid, 1,3-bis(hydroxymethyl)-5,5-dimethylimidazolidine-2,4-dione (also known as DMDM hydantoin), and sodium hydroxymethyl glycinate. Preferred preservatives include commercially available preservative blends, for example the NEOLONE™ family of preservatives (available from Rohm & Haas, Philadelphia, Pa.), such as NEOLONE™ MXP (a mixture including phenoxyethanol, methylparaben, propylparaben and methylisothiazolone). Preferably the preservative is present in an amount of 0.05 to 5%, more preferably 0.1 to 4%, and most preferably 0.2 to 2.5%, including 0.25, 0.3, 0.35, 0.4, 0.45, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0%.

The composition may optionally include fragrances. Preferably, fragrances may be present in an amount of 0.004 to 0.4%, more preferably 0.01 to 0.2%, most preferably 0.02 to 0.1%, including 0.025, 0.03, 0.035, 0.04, 0.045, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08 and 0.09%. Purified water is added to balance.

Once the composition is applied to clothing, paper or fabric, the water may evaporate, leaving the component in the proportions described above, although not necessarily in the specified weight percentages.

EXAMPLE

An example formulation is as follows:

Propylene glycol 1.000 Polysorbate 20 1.000 Zinc glycinate 1.000 Triethyl citrate 1.000 PEG-75 lanolin 0.400 Cocoamphocarboxyglycinate 0.132 Cocamidopropylamine oxide 0.113 Neolone MXP 0.500 Fragrance 0.040 Phosphoric acid 75% w/w 0.015 Purified water Remainder Target pH = 5.5-6.5 

What is claimed is: 1-46. (canceled)
 47. A method of deodorizing, comprising spraying a deodorant onto clothing, wherein the deodorant comprises: triethyl citrate, zinc glycinate, and water, wherein the deodorant has a pH of 5.5 to 6.5.
 48. The method of claim 1, wherein the clothing is an undergarment.
 49. The method of claim 1, wherein the clothing is a feminine napkin or a menstrual pad.
 50. The method of claim 1, further comprising wearing the clothing, wherein the clothing is in contact with the pubic area.
 51. The method of claim 1, wherein the deodorant further comprises an emollient.
 52. The method of claim 5, wherein the emollient is selected from the group consisting of propylene glycol, propylene glycol esters, dimethicones and mixtures thereof.
 53. The method of claim 1, wherein the deodorant further comprises a surfactant.
 54. The method of claim 7, wherein the surfactant is selected from the group consisting of polysorbates, polyglyceryls, butylenes glycols and mixtures thereof.
 55. The method of claim 1, wherein the deodorant further comprises a cleansing surfactant.
 56. The method of claim 9, wherein the cleansing surfactant is selected from the group consisting of cocoamphocarboxyglycinate, laureths, myristamidopropyls and mixtures thereof.
 57. The method of claim 1, wherein the deodorant further comprises a moisturizer.
 58. The method of claim 11, wherein the moisturizer is selected from the group consisting of PEGylated lanolins, PEGylated fatty acid esters, PEGylated oils and mixtures thereof.
 59. The method of claim 1, wherein the deodorant further comprises cocamidopropylamine oxide.
 60. The method of claim 1, wherein the deodorant further comprises a preservative.
 61. The method of claim 15, wherein the preservative is selected from the group consisting of the parabens, phenoxyethanol, methylisothiazoline, benzoic acid, 1,3-bis(hydroxymethyl)-5,5-dimethylimidazolidine-2,4-dione, sodium hydroxymethyl glycinate and mixtures thereof.
 62. A method of deodorizing, comprising spraying a deodorant onto clothing, wherein the deodorant comprises: 0.1 to 10.0% zinc glycinate, 0.1 to 7.0% triethyl citrate, optionally, 0.1 to 10.0% emollient, optionally, 0.1 to 10.0% surfactant, optionally, 0.013 to 1.32% cleansing surfactant, optionally, 0.04 to 4.0% moisturizer, optionally, 0.011 to 1.13% surfactant solubilizer, optionally, 0.05 to 5.0% preservative, optionally, 0.004 to 0.4% fragrance, and water, wherein the deodorant has a pH of 5.5 to 6.5.
 63. A method of deodorizing, comprising spraying a deodorant onto clothing, wherein the deodorant comprises: triethyl citrate, zinc glycinate, cocamidopropylamine oxide, and water, wherein the deodorant has a pH of 5.5 to 6.5.
 64. The method of claim 65, wherein the clothing is an undergarment.
 65. The method of claim 65, wherein the clothing is a feminine napkin or a menstrual pad.
 66. The method of claim 65, further comprising wearing the clothing, wherein the clothing is in contact with the pubic area. 